University of Reading 2017

On 20 September 2017, Martin Poulter gave a seminar for museum staff at the University of Reading about how collaboration with Wikimedia can benefit cultural institutions (GLAMs). This came out of his work as Wikimedian In Residence at the Bodleian Libraries, and the seminar was based on the Working with the Open Culture Movement sessions given at Oxford.

Evaluation

There were 14 attendees, of whom two had to leave early. Twelve evaluation forms were collected.

I enjoyed this workshop (1=Strongly disagree, 5=Strongly agree)

5 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 5 4 Mean: 4.5

I learned new things in this workshop

5 5 4 5 4 4 5 5 4 5 5 4 Mean: 4.6

I had a good understanding of Wikimedia before this workshop

2 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 4 2 3 1 Mean: 2.2

I have a good understanding of Wikimedia now.

4 4 3 4 4 5 4 3 5 4 4 4 Mean: 4.0

I will do something different in my work as a result of attending.

4 3 4 3 4 3 5 5 5 4 5 3 Mean: 4.0

What is the most interesting thing you learned in this session?

• How to enhance articles and interest on our subject matter, i.e. agriculture. The timeline was especially interesting.
• The timeline on histropedia was very interesting and useful for customising searches.
• The scale of Wikipedia + Wikimedia
• Histropedia timelines and the engaging visual representations they give of certain groups.
• Timelines
• Wikidata
• Found out about the way wiki works - e.g. the data and popular views
• About the role of Wikimedia UK + potential help with events
• The different campaigns GLAM institutions can get involved with.
• All of it! Particularly to see the stats side to see how many people view articles.
• Map of Wikipages + images.
• How Wikipedia + Wikimedia operates and can be a very useful platform to share information and engage with others.

Tell us at least one thing which would have improved this workshop for you

• I arrived late- sorry
• A practical demonstration (though I know this takes too long)
• If the timelines worked every time!
• Underlying user metrics
• I was a little confused at the beginning- explanation of your role?
• Tea break
• It would be helpful to have either a screenshot or brief intro to what the edit version of Wikipedia looks like.
• A handout of useful Wikipedia links.
• a bit of hands-on activity
• [3 blank]

Any further comments to add - either positive or negative

• This was extremely useful. You covered a lot and maybe building in a way of reviewing this with us later on would be helpful.
• This will encourage me to use Wikipedia/media in a more knowledgable + useful way- thank you!
• Thank you!
• Fascinating, engaging, well presented
• Lots to think about but good to see a variety of staff here who will take away different things. Thank you
• Great talk!
• Looking forward to seeing/ reviewing the presentation again. Very helpful handout. Thank you
• [5 blank]